Immaculate Virgin

anonymous, c. 1520

The idea that the Virgin was ‘immaculate’ (free from sin) was generally accepted by the Catholic Church only at the end of the 15th century. This depiction of Mary surrounded by symbols of her purity, such as the lily, dates from about that time. The enclosed garden and the mirror allude to her virginity. The panel’s clear symbols and texts inspired worshippers while praying.

  • Artwork typesculpture, relief (sculpture)
  • Object numberBK-2008-69
  • Dimensionsheight 119 mm x width 82 mm x depth 9 mm
  • Physical characteristicsivory with ochre-brown colourization

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Immaculate Virgin
    • Maria Immaculata, with Symbols of her Immaculate Conception

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-2008-69

  • Description

    Rechthoekig reliëf van ivoor gedecoreerd met een voorstelling van een staande Maria in gebed, omgeven door symbolen van haar onbevlekte ontvangenis en doorlopende banderollen met teksten. Bovenin een zegenende God de Vader. Het geheel tegen een gearceerde achtergrond en omgeven door een kleine kabelrand. Op de achterzijde een ingekraste tekst: 'Barthelemy Prinet 1758'.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the fountain, far right, incised: ‘FONS [h]ORTO[rum]’
    • inscription, on the banderole around the olive tree, far right, incised: ‘OLIVA SPECIO[s]A’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the convex mirror, right of Mary’s legs, incised: ‘SPEC[ulum] SINE MACVLA’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the rose, left of Mary, incised: ‘PIANTACIO R[osae]’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the Tower of David, on the right next to Mary, incised: ‘TVR[r]IS DAVID CV[m] P[ro]PVG[naculis]’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the well, bottom far left, incised: ‘PVTEV[s] AQVAR[ium] VIVENT[ium]’
    • inscription, on the reverse, incised: ‘barthelemy PRINET 1758’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the star upper right, incised: ‘STELLA MARIS’
    • inscription, on the banderole around the two blossoming shoots, left of Mary’s legs, incised: ‘[vi]RGA IESSE FLORVIT’
    • inscription, on the banderole of God the Father, incised: ‘TOTA PVLC[h]RA E[s]AMICA MEA ET MACVLA [non] EST IN TE’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the heavenly gate, incised: ‘PORTA C[o]ELI’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the lily between thistles, beneath the star on the right, incised: ‘SICVT [l]I[l]IVM INT[er spinas]’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the moon above left, incised: ‘PVLC[h]RA VT LVN[a]’
    • inscription, on the banderole around the cedar tree, far left, incised: ‘CEDRVS EXSALTAT [a]’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the enclosed garden, bottom centre, incised: ‘[h]ORTVS CONCLVSV[s]’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the sun above left, incised: ‘ELECTA VT SOL’
    • inscription, on the banderole beneath the city, bottom far right, incised

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    • ivory carver: anonymous, Southern Netherlands
    • ivory carver: anonymous, Northern France
    • ivory carver: anonymous, Paris

  • Dating

    c. 1520

  • Search further with

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ivory with ochre-brown colourization

  • Dimensions

    height 119 mm x width 82 mm x depth 9 mm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Frits en Phine Verhaaff Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds

  • Acquisition

    purchase 2008-05-17

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; sale Cologne (Lempertz), 17 May 2008, no. 1188, €4,600, to the museum, with the support of the Frits en Phine/Verhaaff Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds

Documentation

Persistent URL

Questions?

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